Transportation

Wichita passenger rail supporters will get a jump on National Train Day this Friday during a press conference at Union Station building in Wichita.

Though National Train Day is on Saturday, organizers say the 4 p.m. press conference on Friday will provide "significant updates" on passenger rail advocacy in Kansas. Wichita officials say they'll release a major statement regarding rail.

Vice Mayor Pete Meitzner will lead the event; local business representatives who serve on his local Steering Committee will join him.

The state of Kansas is being recognized for having one of the most secure driver's license designs in the nation.

Starting Wednesday you can use your credit or debit card to pay to park in downtown Wichita.

In a release, city officials said the three-month test project will make it even easier to park in the downtown area.

People who park in the metered lot east of Century II Expo Hall or south of the Central Library will be directed to centralized parking pay stations near the north entrances. The meters in those areas will be out-of-service.

The price to park will remain the same, but drivers can pay with change, credit or debit card.

Wichita officials ushered four new transit buses into service Wednesday.

Mayor Carl Brewer and Wichita Transit Director Steve Spade joined city council members and others for the "inaugural ride."

City council members approved a plan Tuesday to purchase as many as 20 buses in the next two years to upgrade the aging fleet of 56 buses. The transit center's fleet travels nearly 2 million miles annually, and it's one of the oldest in the region.

The city of Wichita is launching a new advisory volunteer board for issues related to bicycling and walking.

The board will provide recommendations to the City Council, participate in planning and project development, evaluate policies; and make recommendations to City departments.

It will also play an influential role in implementing Wichita’s Bicycle Master Plan.